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GER20280

Academic Year 2026/2027

Große Reden (GER20280)

Subject:
German
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Gillian Pye
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Great speeches can capture hearts and minds and may resonate for many years after their delivery: from John F Kennedy's 'Ich bin ein Berliner' to Barack Obama's 'Yes We Can', the public imaginary is captivated by the art of well-crafted words. Language is power and the freedom and opportunity to speak publicly is also crucial to democratic societies: understanding how speeches are structured is therefore an important tool of critical citizenship, and being able to make your case convincingly and confidently is a valuable skillset in the workplace as in everyday life. In this module, designed for level 2 students of German (ca. B1+ of the CEFR) we will read, hear, and perform samples of important and influential speeches delivered in the German language in the post-war period. We will read and analyse transcripts and we will listen closely to/watch original recordings. Students will also practise speaking and will engage in writing and performing short speeches or components of speeches.

This module aims:
• to raise students’ awareness of spoken rhetoric, used to persuade or to move an audience
• to introduce a range of key political, social, and historical issues and speakers from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries
• to sensitise students to the political and ethical and importance of language: not just what is said, but how it is expressed
• to improve students’ spoken German in practical speaking exercises (accuracy and confidence), supported by introductory phonetics and intonation training

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an ability to clearly distinguish key sounds and to pronounce words in a familiar text with confidence and reasonable accuracy.
• Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate intonation.
• Demonstrate comprehension of the socio-historical context and thematic meaning of textual samples, using appropriate supporting tools (dictionaries, glossaries, online information).
• Demonstrate an understanding of key functions of speeches and apply this knowledge to identify the functions of sample speeches.
• Identify and critically analyse key strategies deployed in spoken texts.
• Apply this knowledge to create short independently produced text samples and to critically discuss known speeches
• Perform a short prepared sample, using appropriate supports.

Indicative Module Content:

This module develops practical oral skills and requires active classroom engagement. During the module students will engage in the following activities:
Read and prepare short sample texts at home with the help of appropriate support materials.
Make a small group presentation on a selected speech.
Watch and listen to sample speeches.
Listen to module co-ordinator short explanations of key concepts.
Engage in class and small group discussions about the function and meaning of sample texts.
Undertake practical classroom exercises in pronunciation and intonation.
Complete independent practise exercises in intonation and pronunciation using appropriate supports (video and guides, self-recordings etc.)
Take part in short creative exercises.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 1

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 1

Reduce inequality within and among countries 1

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

26
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module involves active learning in the classroom in group discussions, individual and group pronunciation and intonation exercises, short talks by the module co-ordinator, short creative exercises.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Live oral exam (15 minutes) discussion in English of a selected speech, reading of a prepared speech, presentation of a short, independently produced piece. Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Group Work Assignment: In-class group presentation Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Portfolio: Portfolio of written and spoken exercises undertaken during the module. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

In this module students will receive written and oral group and personal feedback on practical in-class activities. Students will receive written feedback via Brightspace on homework submitted to Brightspace. Students may receive, on request via the VLE, written feedback following their oral exam.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
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